Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

On Jan 23, 10:48*am, "Doug" wrote:
Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. * When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. *I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. *I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. *I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. *One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). *Suggestions?? * *Thank you.

Ask Moen customer service for advice.They know the product,
limitations, likely solutions, too.

Joe

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:44:50 -0800 (PST), Joe wrote:

On Jan 23, 10:48*am, "Doug" wrote:
Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. * When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. *I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. *I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. *I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. *One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). *Suggestions?? * *Thank you.

Ask Moen customer service for advice.They know the product,
limitations, likely solutions, too.

Joe

Not a bad idea Joe

On Jan 23, 3:21*pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:44:50 -0800 (PST), Joe wrote:
On Jan 23, 10:48 am, "Doug" wrote:
Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

Ask Moen customer service for advice.They know the product,
limitations, likely solutions, too.

Joe

Not a bad idea Joe

Several years ago, late 70s, I picked up a set of little drill bits
and a pin vise. They came like this sold as a tool for cleaning to
acetylene torch tips. I have found a thousand uses for them. Being an
electronics technician they received the most use cleaning solder out
of printed circuit boards.

Jimmie

On Jan 23, 3:29*pm, JIMMIE wrote:
On Jan 23, 3:21*pm, "Doug" wrote:





On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:44:50 -0800 (PST), Joe wrote:
On Jan 23, 10:48 am, "Doug" wrote:
Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

Ask Moen customer service for advice.They know the product,
limitations, likely solutions, too.

Joe

Not a bad idea Joe

Several years ago, late 70s, I picked up a set of little drill bits
and a pin vise. They came like this sold as a tool for cleaning *to
acetylene torch tips. I have found a thousand uses for them. Being an
electronics technician they received the most use cleaning solder out
of printed circuit boards.

Jimmie- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"I have found a thousand uses for them"

Please list them.

Thanks.

Cleaning the calcium from the shower head with vinegar is the best DIY
remedy. Have you done any other plumbing jobs in the past six
months? Loose debris in the line may be part of the problem, as
well. Flush the shower head, in reverse, to remove any loose debris.
With the head off, run the water (hot & cold) to flush the pipes,
too. Lightly tap on the pipes, if you can, to further dislodge any
debris... . anything visible come out? I suppose your house has some
age to it..... plumbing, too?

Sonny

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:17:49 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Jan 23, 3:29*pm, JIMMIE wrote:
On Jan 23, 3:21*pm, "Doug" wrote:





On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:44:50 -0800 (PST), Joe wrote:
On Jan 23, 10:48 am, "Doug" wrote:
Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

Ask Moen customer service for advice.They know the product,
limitations, likely solutions, too.

Joe

Not a bad idea Joe

Several years ago, late 70s, I picked up a set of little drill bits
and a pin vise. They came like this sold as a tool for cleaning *to
acetylene torch tips. I have found a thousand uses for them. Being an
electronics technician they received the most use cleaning solder out
of printed circuit boards.

Jimmie- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"I have found a thousand uses for them"

Please list them.

Use 1
Use 2
Use 3
Use 4
..
..
..

You can probably complete the list yourself.

Thanks.

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
news:e15ef1f7-9dbd-4093-b054- Several years ago, late 70s, I picked up a
set of little drill bits
and a pin vise. They came like this sold as a tool for cleaning to
acetylene torch tips. I have found a thousand uses for them. Being an
electronics technician they received the most use cleaning solder out
of printed circuit boards.

Jimmie- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"I have found a thousand uses for them"

Please list them.

Thanks.

I use them to ream out the holes in the burners on my gas grill and used one
the other day to clear a clog in the nozzle in the windshield washer on my
car.

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.

On Jan 23, 1:22*pm, Oren wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. * When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. *I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. *I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. *I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. *One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). *Suggestions?? * *Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. *Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.

I usually soak my shower heads in white vinegar after I've heated it
on the stove for a few minutes. I don't know if it helps to heat the
vinegar, but since warm water seems to clean better than cold water,
I'm thinking it can't hurt.

However, I've also seen suggestions where you put a plastic bag with
vinegar around the shower head - without removeing it from the pipe -
and letting it soak over night. Seems almost like more work than just
taking the shower head off and sticking it in a pot.

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:22:46 -0800, Oren wrote:

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.


Yes, that's what I decided to do for the time being. I'll see how it
goes tomorrow after 24 hours soaking. My next approach will be to
use a paper clip in holes if needed only. Thanks Oren... your help
here and earlier posts are helpful ... thanks!!

On Jan 23, 2:46*pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:22:46 -0800, Oren wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. * When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. *I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. *I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. *I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. *One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). *Suggestions?? * *Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. *Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.

Yes, that's what I decided to do for the time being. * I'll see how it
goes tomorrow after 24 hours soaking. * My next approach will be to
use a paper clip in holes if needed only. * Thanks Oren... *your help
here and earlier posts are helpful ... thanks!!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Paper clip might be too big.

I've used a sewing needle in the past.

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:59:16 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Jan 23, 2:46*pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:22:46 -0800, Oren wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. * When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. *I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. *I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. *I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. *One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). *Suggestions?? * *Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. *Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.

Yes, that's what I decided to do for the time being. * I'll see how it
goes tomorrow after 24 hours soaking. * My next approach will be to
use a paper clip in holes if needed only. * Thanks Oren... *your help
here and earlier posts are helpful ... thanks!!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Paper clip might be too big.

I've used a sewing needle in the past.


Maybe, don't know yet. Next option is a sewing needle.
thanks.

"Doug" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:59:16 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Jan 23, 2:46 pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:22:46 -0800, Oren wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.

Yes, that's what I decided to do for the time being. I'll see how it
goes tomorrow after 24 hours soaking. My next approach will be to
use a paper clip in holes if needed only. Thanks Oren... your help
here and earlier posts are helpful ... thanks!!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Paper clip might be too big.

I've used a sewing needle in the past.


Maybe, don't know yet. Next option is a sewing needle.
thanks.

Stick with the vinegar it removes the buildup.
Poking at the holes only serves to put the crud into the shower head where
it will eventually get flushed back into the holes.

cb

On Jan 23, 3:21*pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:59:16 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03





wrote:
On Jan 23, 2:46*pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:22:46 -0800, Oren wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. * When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. *I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. *I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. *I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. *One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). *Suggestions?? * *Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. *Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.

Yes, that's what I decided to do for the time being. * I'll see how it
goes tomorrow after 24 hours soaking. * My next approach will be to
use a paper clip in holes if needed only. * Thanks Oren... *your help
here and earlier posts are helpful ... thanks!!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Paper clip might be too big.

I've used a sewing needle in the past.

Maybe, don't know yet. *Next option is a sewing needle.
thanks.

Acetylene torch tip cleaner? should be inexpensive at your local
welding supply. That's assuming you have one of course. Not sure if
the Big Boxen sell them... but it's basically a little metal thing
about the size of a matchbook with little abrasive coated metal pins
in different sizes that fold out, much like one of those cheap Allen
wrench sets.

nate

"Oren" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.

That's the right answer.

On Jan 23, 4:26*pm, "Charlie" wrote:
"Oren" wrote in message

...

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. * When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. *I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. *I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. *I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. *One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). *Suggestions?? * *Thank you.

White vinegar will dissolve the sediment in the shower head. *Cost
less than CLR. Soak the shower head in a bowl of vinegar.

That's the right answer.

Normally I would agree, I know it's safe on chrome plated brass, if
it's real gold plating it should be OK as well, if it's "gold-tone"
plating who knows?

nate

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.

I would take the shower head off, so I don't get any CLR on the rest
of the stuff.

First, I'd take it off and run a pin backwards thorugh each hole, to
get out little stones. If it's deposits, I'd use somethng just big
enough. I don't see how that could fail.

But if I still wanted to sue clr, if the head disassembles, I'd only
use clr on the plate with the holes.

On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:48:32 -0600, "Doug"
wrote:

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) I replaced my 14 year old moen shower
head with another moen shower head. When I first replaced it all
worked fine but now I'm noticing some streams of water thru the head
go in another (slanted) direction rather than straight. I live in a
hard water area (Houston suburbs) so I expect this is the cause. I've
seen in the past saw tv commercials to solve this like using CLR. I'm
hesitant to believe the commercials so I ask here. One thing, I have
gold metal trim on this shower head so I don't want to hurt the gold
trim (perhaps shiny brass??). Suggestions?? Thank you.


Result.....
I decided to take the high road and just submerge the head in a bag of
white vinegar taped around it. Funny but after I got it secured in
place, the bag sprung a leak but with quick thinking, I got tape to
stop it and it worked good enough. I left it submerged for about 9
hours. My wife used the shower after my repair and said it was
noticeably better. In hindsight I should have taken the head off but
I was so careful when I put it on with plumber's tape 6 months
earlier, I didn't really want to disturb it so that was the reason I
took the high road.